Classical Picks of the Week: Goldstar Events and Celebrating Salonen

This is a video of Esa-Pekka Salonen conducting the LA Phil in Stravinsky's Rite of Spring. Salonen is well known for his interpretations of Stravinsky; in fact, it was a performance of Stravinsky works that was instrumental in garnering support for a new music hall. Opened in 2003, the Walt Disney Concert Hall has quickly become one of the most recognizable landmarks in Los Angeles.

Esa-Pekka Salonen conducts his final concerts as the Music Director of the LA Phil this week at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. 17 years is long by most standards for any relationship, and it has been a fruitful one. The LA Times has several articles and retrospectiveson his career, all leading to the upcoming weekend in which Salonen conducts his final concert, an all-Stravinsky program. Salonen came in as the perfect poster-boy for classical music in Los Angeles; young, vibrant, and one of People's 50 most beautiful people on the planet. Unfazed, he molded the LA Phil into a world class orchestra and leaves as the most influential music director the LA Phil ever had (this list includes Otto Klemperer, Georg Solti, Zubin Mehta, and Andre Previn). Although Ernest Fleischmann originated the concept of the "Green Umbrella" series, it was Salonen who made it into the success it is today; now the LA Phil is considered one of the foremost interpreters of new music. Although tickets are impossible to find for his final concerts, KUSC will be broadcasting the concert live. In addition, today at 4 PM, KUSC will be broadcasting Salonen's debut concert with the LA Philharmonic.

Goldstar is a free event listing service which promotes artistic and cultural endeavors in the greater Los Angeles by providing many tickets to high-profile functions for up to 50 percent off. It also has a category of classical events that should not be missed. A quick query reveals that Goldstar has tickets available for the Los Angeles Opera's production ofthe Birdsat 50 percent off. Die Walkure was also available at steep discounts, but sold out quickly. Other notable events on sale at Goldstar include LACO's Rising Stars in Concertwhich takes place next Saturday and Sunday. Sign up here for more information.